Dynasty (Saf)

Horse of the Year & Champion Classic 3 y/o in 2003.

Career record: 12 runs, 9 wins (4 x GR1, 3 x GR2), 2 seconds (GR1, GR2), 1 third (GR1)

Considered the best racehorse in South Africa since Horse Chestnut, Dynasty was retired to stud in 2005 following an injury which resulted in his 3^rd place finish at his last start. His GR1 wins ranged from 8 to 11 furlongs. Winning the 2003 Durban July with ease on a tight track from the widest draw at 20 was the pinnacle of a sparkling career that saw him earn R2.1 million in stakes. As a yearling, he was sold for R475 000, the third highest price of his crop. He stands at Highlands Farm, economically priced at R20000, approximately 22^nd highest price in the country. This strategy worked well with another champion, Jet Master, and should see him get a big, quality book of mares.

Dynasty is a son of Fort Wood (Sadler’s Wells), sire of champions and champion sire. Fort Wood is also the only sire in SAF history to produce three 3 y/o Horse of the Year winners, and that from only 7 crops to race as 3 year olds. Dynasty’s dam, Blakes Affair (Commodore Blake) is from the direct female line of influential sires: Turn-To, Irish River, My Babu, Joy II, Sayani, Ambiorix.

Using the 2005 Breeders Handbook suitable mares list as a guide, I suggest looking for the following names when preparing to breed:

Graustark (son of the mare Flower Bowl who has shown an affinity with Swaps, present in the damline of Fort Wood)

Nureyev (son of Special, grandam of Sadler’s Wells, sire of Fort Wood)

Hail To Reason, Sir Gaylord, Roberto (sons and grandsons of Turn-To)

Best Turn (by Turn-To out of a Swaps mare)

Gone West and Blushing Groom (Tudor Minstrel line)

Many of these are a bit on the old side to work in a mating with Dynasty, so look for sons and grandsons that introduce these influences in a combination that works for you. Options are plentiful, both for bargain breds and more expensive lines.

This is Dynasty’s first season as a sire in the sim with no foals to race yet, but since he began duties during 2005 here in the Southern Hemisphere, he is available to breed both 2 and 3 year olds. At 16 points on Saturday morning for a Horse of the Year and Champion Three Year Old, he must be considered a fantastic bargain.